Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
550. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total spending on programmes targeting educationally disadvantaged schools in 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017, 2023 and 2025; the amount of this which is the provision of extra teachers as distinct from other supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30089/26]
View answerThe DEIS programme is the departments key policy for addressing educational disadvantage, providing a range of targeted supports to schools, including additional teaching posts, enhanced capitation, home school community liaison (HSCL) services and School Competition Programme (SCP) supports.
The department invests over €180 million annually which provides additional supports to almost 1,200 schools, benefitting over 250,000 students.
In budget 2026, funding was provided for the introduction of the DEIS Plus scheme, with an allocation of €16.5 million in 2026, increasing to €48 million in 2027. This represents a significant enhancement of overall investment in DEIS supports. This brings the overall investment in DEIS supports to €196.5m for 2026 and to €228m from 2027.
Expenditure on DEIS is not allocated under a single discrete budget line, as supports are delivered across a number of programme areas within the department’s vote including teacher allocations, capitation funding, HSCL services, the SCP and other targeted measures.
Over the period in question, there has been continued investment in these supports for schools, including the expansion of DEIS in 2022 and the implementation of the DEIS Strategy to 2035, including the introduction of the DEIS Plus scheme.
